Join our mailing list!
You are here: Home > System Comparisons

Traditional Water Softeners

All water softeners use the same operation to obtain soft water. They trade sodium or potassium chloride in a process called ion exchange. The mineral tank is the main component in water softeners and is filled with polystyrene beads, also known as resin or zeolite and carry a negative charge. In normal operation, the calcium and magnesium get drawn to the beads and get replaced with salt ions. Hard water as disgusting as it is in your home poses no health risk but salt from water softeners may be a problem for those on restricted diets, people with diabetes and other respiratory and heart ailments. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
 
 
 

WATER SOFTENER

REVERSE OSMOSIS

BOTTLED WATER

   

 

 

 
         

QUALITY/TASTE

WATER TASTE AND ODOR

Great Taste, Odor Free

Can't drink or use for cooking

Good Taste, Odor Free, Acidic (unhealthy)

Good Taste, Odor Free, Acidic (unhealthy)

LIMITS BACTERIA?

Yes

No

No

No

QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER

pH alkaline drinking water

Unhealthy to drink, adds salts

High acidic levels not healthy to drink

High acidic levels not healthy to drink

RETAINS HEALTHY MINERALS?

Yes

Yes

No

No

FILTERS CONTAMINANTS?

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

FAMILY/HOUSE

GOOD FOR SKIN AND HAIR?

Yes, leaves skin and hair soft and clean

No, leaves hair slick and oily looking

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

LAUNDRY QUALITY

Laundry whiter and lasts longer

Yellows laundry and destroys threads

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

GOOD FOR PETS AND PLANTS?

Yes

No

No

No

STOPS SCALE BUILD UP?

Yes

Yes, but leaves salt residue

Yes, but on fixture only

Not Applicable

REMOVES SCALE BUILD UP?

Yes

Yes, but limited amount

No

Not Applicable

MAINTENANCE

EASE OF OPERATION

Install and let it run

Constant maintenance of salt levels

Requires monthy filter replacements

Requires monthly replacement

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE**

None

Salt or potassium refill

Monthly filter change

Monthly bottle costs

BACKWASH REQUIREMENTS**

Every 4-8 days

Daily

Wastes 4 gallons for every 1 gallon usage

No

YEARLY MAINTENANCE COSTS**

$0.00

$120-$360

$90-$120

$360-$600

INSTALLATION

APPLICATION

Whole House Solution

Whole House (no filtering) requires RO

Drinking only at one faucet

Drinking only at dispenser

SPACE SAVINGS DESIGN

Compact filter options sized for application

Takes up twice the space

Takes up under the counter space

Large area for storage of bottles

NEEDS LOOP

No loop necessary

Requires softener loop with RO

Only at one faucet

Not Applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL

CONSERVES ENERGY?

Yes

No

No

Not Applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE?

No brine into eco system

Adds brine to eco system

Wastes 4 gallons for every 1 gallon usage

Bottles filling landfills

** DEPENDS GREATLY ON FAMILY USAGE.  CHART BASED ON LIKE VARIABLES AND CONDITIONS.***